A senior non-commissioned officer serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barrack in Ohafia, Abia State, has reportedly committed suicide.
The soldier, identified as Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Vitalis, an indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala, Imo State, was attached to the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area. He tragically shot himself in front of the FOB gate.
The reasons behind CSM Vitalis’s decision to end his life remain unclear as no suicide note was found. Sources within the security agencies in the state have indicated that only a thorough investigation can reveal what prompted his actions, cautioning against any premature conclusions.
Before his death, there were no reported cases of domestic violence or disciplinary actions against him by the army authorities at either the Battalion or the 14 Brigade Headquarters. Colleagues reported that Vitalis had been missing for the past two weeks and had been unreachable despite several attempts to contact him. He unexpectedly returned to the camp and took his life, shocking his colleagues.
Vitalis was nearing his retirement, which was scheduled for October, adding to the surprise and confusion among his peers regarding his suicide.
The Army Public Relations Officer (APRO), Lt. Prince Innocent Omale, has not responded to calls or messages regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report.
This tragic event underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support within the armed forces, as well as the need for thorough investigations to understand and prevent such occurrences in the future.
